Prestatyn Cricket Club president steps down

Jan 14 2009 by Dave Jones, Denbigh Visitor

ONE of a cricket club’s leading figureheads has decided to step down.

Mark Thomas has resigned as president of Prestatyn CC and will be replaced by Keith Robson, executive manager of Presthaven Sands holiday park.

Mr Thomas and his family have been generous sponsors of the club for over 15 years and the departing president’s son Danny is a leading batsman for the first team.

News of the change was revealed at the club’s annual meeting and in a letter Mark Thomas said: “I feel personally I have gone as far as I can and feel the club now needs a new direction that I am unable to commit to.

“Over the last few years I have watched the club grow, not only on the field but also off it, resulting in us playing in the Liverpool Competition Premier Division.

“This has been a marvellous achievement by all concerned and long may it continue, but I must voice my concerns regarding Prestatyn Cricket Club.

“I feel that apart from a handful of people, there is not enough commitment from existing members. To take the club forward there has to be a joint effort from the management team and club members.”

Club chairman Haydn Owen commented on a 2008 season which saw Prestatyn play at the highest level in its 108-year history.

“We did very well to finish a creditable ninth in the Premier Division,” he said.

“The quality of opposition pushed many of our players to another level of cricket with some outstanding performances putting Prestatyn CC firmly on the cricketing map.

“At the start of the season we would have settled for ninth, however with a bit more belief, luck and most of all experience of playing cricket at that level, finishing a couple of places higher would have been a fairer reflection on our season.

“My only concern is we finished bottom of the fair play league which we will address.”

Mr Owen praised improvements already carried out at Beach Close but also spoke of the need to further upgrade facilities at the ground with vice-chair Tony Young working tirelessly to secure grant aid to refurbish the clubhouse.

“The accounts for the year show that without generous sponsorship the club could not survive playing in the Premier League.

“Running a club the size of Prestatyn is difficult. We are a small fish in a big pool and last season we were fighting above our weight.

“The club not only needs financial support, but it also needs more hands on decks to do the considerable amount of work off the field essential to the smooth running of the club.

“We need to recruit new members especially those from the business community, whose expertise we can use to ensure financial stability.”

Winter nets for juniors: Commence Sunday, January 25, at Y Morfa Leisure Centre, Kinmel Bay. Ages five to 13, 9am-10.30am; under-15s and senior players, 10.30am to 12.30pm.